Relative Pronoun

The relative pronouns introduce subordinate clauses and usually have a relation to the main clause. Relative pronouns replace a noun, which should be explained by a subordinate clause. Instead of the relative pronoun also relative companions like cuyo and relative adverbs can take over this task.

In contrast to question pronouns, relative pronouns have no accent.

Forms

Thing

Person

Thing/Person

Fact

masculine

feminine

neutrum

Singular

que

quien

el que

el cual

la que

la cual

lo que

lo cual

Plural

que

quienes

los que

los cuales

las que

las cuales

Use

Que (which) is the most common relative pronoun. It refers to persons and things and is invariable. With things it also sometimes stands after the prepositions a, con, de and en.

El que, la que, los que and las que depend on gender and number according to the reference word. They are used instead of que or quien, especially when other reference words would be considered or according to prepositions.

El cual, la cual, las cuales and los cuales are more in formal contexts than quien, el que, etc. The form el cual is preferred if its reference word is further away or to avoid misunderstandings.

Example:

Este es el cliente del cual he hablado

La obra con la cual alcanzó la fama

lo que, lo cual is used for contents and statements of a preceding sentence and is translated with what.

Example:

Los visitantes no han llegado, lo que/lo cual nos preocupa.

If one refers to contents of a following sentence, or contents which are still mentioned, only (todo) lo que is possible.

Pueden preguntar lo que no sepan

Todo lo que dices lo sabía ya

Relative Companions

masculine

feminine

Singular

cuyo

cuya

Plural

cuyos

cuyas

The relative companions cuyo/-a/-os/-as are mainly used in formal contexts and have the meaning of it. Essentially, cuyo expresses ownership or affiliation. Cuyo/-a/-os/-as depend in gender and number on the following noun.